Artist Profile--Judi Stack

Our featured artist this month is Judi Stack. We always enjoy Judi's dry sense of humor, something that often carries over into her artwork. Many of her pieces have a story behind them, often one that leaves us laughing.

1. What are the main mediums you use? What do you find satisfying about them?

When I paint, I like to use acrylic. It not only dries fast, but the clean up is less toxic than

turpentine products used with oil paints.

“Repurpose, reuse, recycle” is the theme of most of my other work. I will use anything I can find to

make shadow boxes, jewelry or collages. I collect all kinds of junk and some of it finds its way into my

work. It’s really “play,” not work.

2. If someone were going to get started in those mediums, what suggestions would you give?

The more art I see in books, shows, museums and galleries the more I realize that all people can make art. My advice is to pick up what’s at hand and paint it, glue it, carve it, write about it or dance with it. Just do what makes you happy and forget about anyone else. There are no rules.

3. A perfect art day would look like_________

On a perfect art day I usually visit about 9 art galleries in a row and then fall into bed thinking about all of the

ideas I have and wondering how I can live long enough to try them all.

4. Do you have dedicated studio space?

I have a basement room that is crammed full of work tables and boxes of junk, paper, paints, glues, fabric and tools, I have some stuff in the storeroom and I seem to have expanded into the basement family room which doubles as a guest room. I keep the guest bed made up and a big sheet of plastic over it so I can lay projects on it to dry. Because I am a very messy person I need lots of flat surfaces. My husband once told me that 6 tables of unfinished work were too many.

I have all of that room, but my favorite place to work is my big dining table. The light is lots better there and when I see a project constantly, I sometimes finally get it finished.

We don’t invite company for dinner very often, it’s just too much work to carry all my stuff back downstairs.

5. Favorite place you've visited or lived?

I have traveled in China , Japan , England , Ireland and Europe . I loved it all, but my most difficult time was when I studied Chinese in Northern China in 1994. I was almost the oldest student in my group and the living situation and high humidity almost drove me bonkers. I lived through it and achieved my goals so it was all worth it, even the $56 it cost my husband to send me a jar of peanut butter and some toilet paper. I’m sure things have improved a lot since then. I’d really like to go back to see.

6. What inspires you (or are there recurring themes in your work?

I am fascinated with the Hubble picture from space and reading about modern advances in physics. I am also a student of comparative religions and spirituality. I am a Christian who left the church after forty-five years in the same congregation to seek my own spiritual path. I am always looking for the place where science and religion come together.

7. I still struggle with:

Throwing out junk, (otherwise known as treasures) is extremely difficult. As soon as I send something to a charity, I see someone else who has made art with just such an object.

8. I'd be lost without:

I would be lost without glue and double sided tape. When someone asks me what kind of glue I use, I reply, “All of them.”

9. Favorite dessert?

I am pre-diabetic and have given up sugary desserts. Sometimes I will have a little piece of bitter chocolate with my cup of coffee. Coffee with cream is my main treat.

10. What's on the horizon?

I'm wondering what I can make out of this stuff I just bought at Goodwill.

I am much happier since I stopped sending my stuff out to try to jury into shows and just participate in the annual PAC sale only. I am deliriously happy when someone actually buys something I have done. It is SO much fun. And it is so much fun just to be in a room full of PAC friends and their art.